Nativity Ideas: How to Celebrate the Christmas Message with Young Children
Posted by EYR Team on 28th Oct 2024
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Christmas is a traditional Christian celebration that marks the birth of Jesus Christ. The Nativity story, also known as the Christmas story, is the tale that recounts this event. In this blog, we suggest a few Nativity ideas using our free downloadable resources for you to try with your little ones around the festive period.
In our range of Nativity downloads, you will find a simplified version of the Nativity story, perfect for children in the EYFS, colouring-in sheets, activity sheets, puppets and more! Here are a few simple ways to use our Nativity-themed activities in your Early Years setting to celebrate the Christmas message with young children.
Children's Nativity Ideas
1. How to make Nativity Puppets
Introduce the story of the birth of baby Jesus using our Nativity Storytelling sheet and puppets featuring key figures and a story sheet. Children can use this free download to explore the Nativity story by:
- Practising retelling and sequencing by colouring in and cutting the page into sections to tell the Nativity story.
- Hosting a puppet show to accompany the story sheet. and help children consolidate their learning in a more hands-on way by colouring in the puppets and sticking them onto lolly sticks.
- Alternatively, create a stationery DIY nativity scene to display at home or in the classroom by sticking the puppets onto lolly sticks and the lolly sticks into dough to keep them upright!
2. Where was baby Jesus born?
After travelling to Bethlehem and finding no room at the inns, Mary and Joseph met a kind innkeeper who let them stay in a stable. Print out a colouring-in sheet to retell the story of the birth of baby Jesus and add it to a Nativity-themed display to brighten up your setting!
- Children can explore key points in the Nativity story as they discuss the scene. What led the kings to the stable? What gifts did they bring for the newborn baby Jesus?
- Why not display both the coloured-in sheets and puppets to create a Nativity role-play area? Inspire children to become the different characters and re-enact parts of the story. Take a look at our themed costumes for children to transform into characters and bring the Nativity story to life!
3. Help Mary and Joseph find their way to the stable
Encourage physical development with the Nativity Journey Sheets. A fantastic way for children to learn about this particular aspect of the Nativity story.
- Use a pencil or finger to guide Mary and Joseph to reach the stable. Take care to stay on the dotted lines while manoeuvring around the page to help develop hand-eye coordination.
- Identify the different patterns from each animal as they lead to the stable. This tracing activity can help to improve visual tracking and pencil grip as children follow the loops and zig-zags.
4. Join the dots to complete the Nativity image
Use the Nativity dot-to-dot activity pages to encourage independent fine motor activities and introduce pencil control from an early age. This free downloadable pack contains the shepherds of Bethlehem and the Christmas angel.
- Build confidence in maths and practice number recognition as children identify the correct number order to complete each image.
- Colour in the pictures and use them as talking points to discuss parts of the Nativity story such as the role of the Angel Gabriel who visited Mary with news that she would soon have a baby.
5. Can you find your way through Nativity Maze?
Navigate your way around our set of three visual motor maze activities for young children for a fun yet challenging Christmas activity.
- Practice pencil control and develop muscle tone to help children gain key skills that will support their handwriting.
- Starting from the beginning or work back from the centre of each maze to complete the puzzle. Help The Angel Gabriel find Mary and the Kings find baby Jesus.
We would love to see how you get on with our range of free Nativity ideas! Send us pictures of your masterpieces on Facebook or Instagram and don’t forget to use the hashtag #ExploreWithEYR.
Get inspired: Explore our range of Nativity resources including art supplies and Nativity-themed costumes to capture the magic this Christmas season and help young children to understand the meaning of Christmas, gift-giving and all that comes this time of year!